I want to thank my family, the Miller family, the Jazz and NBA family, and this great community for the incredible memories, experiences, support and people that have been part of this choice journey. – Randy Rigby
SALT LAKE CITY — In the nine years he’s been president of the Utah Jazz, Randy Rigby has piled up quite a list of accomplishments that have benefited his organization and sports fans in the region.
Rigby, a Jazz employee since 1986, negotiated broadcasting rights agreements and expanding viewership to six states for all regular season games in HD. He helped create a 16-station Intermountain radio network for Jazz games. He hired general manager Dennis Lindsey. He played a big part in the Jazz’s acquisition of a D-League team in Idaho.
The 1979 BYU graduate also helped revive summer league basketball in Salt Lake City.
Rigby has about two months to add another impressive line to his bio. On Wednesday, the affable leader announced that he will retire at the end of the Jazz season.
Rigby said “30 wonderful years” were enough. He’ll continue on as an adviser to the organization while also looking for opportunities in the community and in personal and professional levels.
“I want to thank my family, the Miller family, the Jazz and NBA family, and this great community for the incredible memories, experiences, support and people that have been part of this choice journey,” Rigby said via a press release from Jazz PR. “It has been a privilege to be part of this first-class organization.”
Steve Starks will take over as Jazz president as that position’s responsibilities are rolled into his current position as Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment president. He’s held that role since the LHM Group of Companies restructured last spring.
Clark Whitworth, the group’s CEO, credited Rigby for leaving “an indelible mark on this franchise and company” over three decades. Whitworth said the transition has been in the works for the past year.
“Randy has had a remarkable career and contributed in so many ways,” Jazz owner Gail Miller said through the press release. “He has been an excellent representative of the Jazz at the NBA level and in the community. We have been fortunate to have had his guiding hand on the franchise. Beyond his work, our family has appreciated his loyalty and friendship through the years.”
MAKEUP GAME: The Jazz were supposed to visit the Washington Wizards on Jan. 23, but Winter Storm Jonas had other plans. Because of the huge snowstorm, which dumped as much as 40 inches in the D.C. area, the NBA postponed the game until Thursday night.
“It’s going to be hard. It’s kind of weird having a game after just one practice and playing a back-to-back like this,” Jazz guard Rodney Hood said. “It will be tough, but it’s mental more than anything.”
The Jazz have to fly over two time zones and 2,000 miles to get back home for Friday night’s ESPN-televised game against the Boston Celtics. Washington hosts the Jazz Thursday and Detroit on Friday and then travels to Miami on Saturday.
“Washington’s got three games back-to-back-to-back, so we got the better end of this deal,” Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward said. “It’s what happens when you have a big snowstorm.”
FAR FROM SNOW: Hayward took advantage of the tennis estate he purchased in the San Diego area during All-Star break.
“(We) hung out at the beach, relaxed as much relaxing as you can do with an 8-month-old baby,” he said. “(I spent) a lot of time in the stroller walking her around.”
Hayward said he worked out two days during the vacation. He didn’t even touch a basketball for three days.
“Obviously the rest is good for your body,” he said. “Just recovering and getting some juice back has been huge.”
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